"We're more committed than ever," he said today, particularly in light of a plan outlined at the forum by leaders of U.S. Border Watch, a Spring-based group that opposes illegal immigration.

Curtis Collier, the president of U.S Border Watch, said his organization is strongly opposed to the proposed day labor center. In front of a crowd of about 200 people Tuesday night, he said U.S. Border Watch members plan to circulate petitions in the neighborhood near Steubner-Airline Road. The petitions would encourage businesses to report the day laborers to Harris County officials for trespassing because they stand in their parking lots, waiting to be hired.

"The fact is, opening another day labor site is detrimental to securing the border of this nation," Collier said at the forum.

The audience peppered Roman Catholic Dean Sam Dunning with questions about the Church's position on immigration.

Dunning did not dispute Collier's assertion that day labor centers are places where illegal immigrants seek employment.

In response to one questioner from the audience, Dunning said there was no attempt by the faith coalition to "cover up" their concerns about poor people seeking work in this country.

"I'm not afraid of the immigration issue," Dunning said. "I think it's indisputable that a large number of day laborers are illegal. But there is an economic need for their labor. In an ideal world, all the people would be documented, they would be paying federal income taxes — they are already paying lots of taxes. But our system is broken," Dunning said.

After dozens of questions about illegal immigration, Dunning said that immigrants who gather on street corners "are not begging for a dollar. They stand in the streets asking for the opportunity to earn a dollar."

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